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Locomotor activity is one of the most commonly assayed animal behaviors. It is the gold standard for assessing behavioral circadian rhythmicity. Here, we develop a flexible and affordable locomotor activity monitoring system that does not interfere with the behavior of animals. We validate the reliability of the system in multiple circadian biology research scenarios. This device is customizable and can be used for many animal species.

Spider dragline silk is well recognized due to its excellent mechanical properties. Dragline silk protein mainly consists of two proteins, namely, major ampullate spidroin 1 (MaSp1) and major ampullate spidroin 2 (MaSp2). The MaSp N-terminal domain (NTD) conformation displays a strong dependence on ion and pH gradients, which is crucial for the self-assembly behavior of spider silk. In the spider major ampullate gland, where the pH is neutral and concentration of NaCl is high, the NTD forms a monomer. In contrast, within the spinning duct, where pH becomes more acidic (to pH ~ 5) and the concentration of salt is low, NTD forms a dimer in antiparallel orientation. In this study, we report near-complete backbone and side chain chemical shift assignment of the monomeric form of NTD of MaSp2 from Nephila clavipes at pH 7 in the presence of 300 mM NaCl. Our NMR data demonstrate that secondary structure of monomeric form of NTD MaSp2 consists of five helix regions.

Spider silk is a protein-based material whose toughness suggests possible novel applications. A particularly fascinating example of silk toughness is provided by Darwin's bark spider ( Caerostris darwini ) found in Madagascar. This spider produces extraordinarily tough silk, with an average toughness of 350 MJ m −1 and over 50% extensibility, and can build river-bridging webs with a size of 2.8 m 2 . Recent studies have suggested that specific spidroins expressed in C. darwini are responsible for the mechanical properties of its silk. Therefore, a more comprehensive investigation of spidroin sequences, silk thread protein contents and phylogenetic conservation among closely related species is required. Here, we conducted genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of C. darwini and its close relative Caerostris extrusa . A variety of spidroins and low-molecular-weight proteins were found in the dragline silk of these species; all of the genes encoding these proteins were conserved in both genomes, but their genes were more expressed in C. darwini . The potential to produce very tough silk is common in the genus Caerostris , and our results may suggest the existence of plasticity allowing silk mechanical properties to be changed by optimizing related gene expression in response to the environment.

Background Plant-parasitic nematodes are extremely dangerous pests in a variety of economically important crops. The purpose of this study was a survey of all nematode species existing in banana from three sites in Assiut Governorate, Egypt and to characterize the most common species by morphological, morphometric and molecular techniques (PCR with species-specific primers). Then, study of resistance or sensitivity of some banana cultivars to root-knot nematodes.Methods and Results Four nematodes, Meloidogyne, Rotylenchulus reniformis, Helicotylenchus and Pratylenchus were isolated and identified from soil and root samples collected from banana plants. Most frequently occurring of plant parasitic nematode species in banana was Meloidogyne. Former research found differences in species and in resistance to root-knot nematodes among the examined plant cultivars. Identification of Root-knot nematodes by Characterize of morphometric, molecularly, morphological isolate of Meloidogyne related to banana plants. The results revealed that the identified nematode species, Meloidogyne javanica, is the most common plant-parasitic nematodes in all locations. Data on the susceptibility of the tested banana cultivars to M. javanica revealed that Grand Naine was highly susceptible (HS) however, Magraby was susceptible (S) but Williams and Hindi cultivars were moderately resistant (MR).Conclusions we concluded that a survey revealed the significant prevalence of Meloidogyne javanica, the most important nematodes on banana in Assiut. The morphometric, morphological, and molecular identification were harmonic with one another. In addition to the host response of certain banana cultivars, to M. javanica that resistance is of significance and can be helpful to incorporate through planning control measures for root- knot nematodes.

Metabolic disorders result from dysregulation of central nervous system and peripheral metabolic energy homeostatic pathways. To maintain normal energy balance, neural circuits must integrate feedforward and feedback signals from the internal metabolic environment to orchestrate proper food intake and energy expenditure. These signals include conserved meal and adipocyte cues such as glucose and leptin, respectively, in addition to more novel players including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In particular, BDNF's two receptors, tropomyosin related kinase B (TrkB) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), are increasingly appreciated to be involved in whole body energy homeostasis. At times, these two receptors even seem to functionally oppose one another's actions, providing the framework for a potential neurotrophin mediated energy regulatory axis, which we explore further here.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 198 million reported infections and more than 4 million deaths as of July 2021 (covid19.who.int). Research to identify effective therapies for COVID-19 includes: (1) designing a vaccine as future protection; (2) de novo drug discovery; and (3) identifying existing drugs to repurpose them as effective and immediate treatments. To assist in drug repurposing and design, we determine two apo structures of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease at ambient temperature by serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography. We employ detailed molecular simulations of selected known main protease inhibitors with the structures and compare binding modes and energies. The combined structural and molecular modeling studies not only reveal the dynamics of small molecules targeting the main protease but also provide invaluable opportunities for drug repurposing and structure-based drug design strategies against SARS-CoV-2., Graphical abstract, Durdağı et al. represent radiation damage-free high-resolution SARS-CoV-2 main protease SFX structures obtained at near-physiological temperature and performed MD simulation of apo-form proteins and three known main protease inhibitors. The structures reveal alternate conformation, while MD simulation indicates asymmetric behavior of the protein, which is invaluable information for immediate drug-repurposing studies.

Date palm borers become a serious threat to date palm plantations in Iraq, which required management program to suppress their population by using different methods; one of them is the light traps which disseminated in Basrah province. The objective of this trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of light traps as a part of pest management tool. In three years monitoring of coleopteran adults, rhinoceros beetles Oryctes spp. and longhorn date palm borer Jebusaea hammerschmidtii infesting the date palm Phoenix dactylifera were reported by using light traps in different regions of Basrah, Iraq. Due to the result of the abundance of the borers, Oryctes spp. were the most dominant and most important causing severe damage for the date palm. Four species of Oryctes (O. agamemnon, O. elegans, O. sahariensis and O. sinaicus) were recorded in Basrah date palm orchards; the seasonal activity of the species was between April and May, reaching the peaks during summer, and the populations decreased gradually till December. The overall sex ratios of all species of Oryctes spp. were male-biased except O. elegans, which had the sex ratio of 1.13 female: 1 male. Results revealed that the light traps exhibit an effective control method to suppress the adult borer’s population and as a physical control and monitoring tool of date palm stem borers.

The COVID19 pandemic has resulted in 25+ million reported infections and nearly 850.000 deaths. Research to identify effective therapies for COVID19 includes: i) designing a vaccine as future protection; ii) structure-based drug design; and iii) identifying existing drugs to repurpose them as effective and immediate treatments. To assist in drug repurposing and design, we determined two apo structures of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus-2 main protease at ambienttemperature by Serial Femtosecond X-ray crystallography. We employed detailed molecular simulations of selected known main protease inhibitors with the structures and compared binding modes and energies. The combined structural biology and molecular modeling studies not only reveal the dynamics of small molecules targeting main protease but will also provide invaluable opportunities for drug repurposing and structure-based drug design studies against SARS-CoV-2.One Sentence SummaryRadiation-damage-free high-resolution SARS-CoV-2 main protease SFX structures obtained at near-physiological-temperature offer invaluable information for immediate drug-repurposing studies for the treatment of COVID19.

Photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, purple bacteria and microalgae have attracted great interest as promising platforms for economical and sustainable production of bioenergy, biochemicals, and biopolymers. Here, we demonstrate heterotrophic production of spider dragline silk proteins, major ampullate spidroins (MaSp), in a marine photosynthetic purple bacterium, Rhodovulum sulfidophilum, under both photoheterotrophic and photoautotrophic growth conditions. Spider silk is a biodegradable and biocompatible material with remarkable mechanical properties. R. sulfidophilum grow by utilizing abundant and renewable nonfood bioresources such as seawater, sunlight, and gaseous CO2 and N2, thus making this photosynthetic microbial cell factory a promising green and sustainable production platform for proteins and biopolymers, including spider silks., 光合成細菌を用いてクモ糸を作ることに成功 --天然資源を利用した物質生産のモデル微生物--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2020-07-13.

The COVID19 crisis has magnified the issues plaguing academic science, but it has also provided the scientific establishment with an unprecedented opportunity to reset. Shoring up the foundation of academic science will require a concerted effort between funding agencies, universities, and the public to rethink how we support scientists, with a special emphasis on early career researchers.

Proper circadian alignment of feeding behavior is necessary to prevent metabolic disease, and thus it is imperative to identify the neural circuits and molecular players that coordinate energy homeostasis. Neurotrophin signaling has been implicated in both metabolic and circadian processes, thereby representing a good candidate for regulating neural circuits driving time-of-day dependent feeding and foraging behavior. Here, we demonstrate that mice lacking the p75 neurotrophin receptor, p75NTR, have a behavioral defect in their ability to adequately respond to energy deficit. In response to fasting, p75KO mice (1) decrease their refeeding food intake compared to controls. Furthermore, following several days of restricted feeding, they (2) are unable to develop food anticipatory behavior (FAA), a phenomenon believed to be the output of a food-entrained circadian oscillator that has yet to be anatomically defined. Strikingly, these two phenotypes are observed only during the daytime, and not at night. These defects lead to increased weight loss, but do not appear to be mediated by changes in peripheral hormones. Notably, these effects are also independent of a role of p75NTR in development, as a global, adult-inducible p75NTR knockout recapitulates the feeding behavior of germline knockout mice. Rather, we demonstrate that p75NTR is discretely expressed in two hypothalamic regions known to be important for feeding behavior, the arcuate (ARC) and dorsomedial (DMH) hypothalamus. We find that p75KO mice have reduced fasting-induced activation of ARC, but not DMH, neurons. In addition, we show that ARC AgRP neuron p75NTR is necessary for fasting-induced refeeding and daytime FAA. We further suggest that AgRP-p75NTR is necessary to mediate AgRP neuron phospho-CREB signaling in response to energy deficit. Finally, given previous reports of involvement of the DMH in food anticipation, we asked whether DMH-p75NTR is necessary for feeding behavior and food anticipation. Strikingly, we find that p75NTR in the DMH is also necessary for FAA, but not for the control of homeostatic feeding. These data establish p75NTR as a novel regulator of energy homeostasis that acts to gate behavioral responses to food scarcity. It further posits that p75NTR may functionally link two independent hypothalamic regions to a time-of-day dependence of circadian food anticipation.

An artificial spinning system using regenerated silk fibroin solutions is adopted to produce high-performance silk fibers. In previous studies, alcohol-based agents, such as methanol or ethanol, were used to coagulate silk dope solutions, producing silk fiber with poor mechanical properties compared with those of native silk fibers. The alcohol-based coagulation agents induce rapid β-sheet crystallization of the silk molecules, which inhibits subsequent alignment of the β-sheet crystals. Here, we induce gradual β-sheet formation to afford adequate β-sheet alignment similar to that of native silk fiber. To this aim, we developed an amorphous silk fiber spinning process that prevents fast β-sheet formation in silk molecules by using tetrahydrofuran (THF) as a coagulation solvent. In addition, we apply postdrawing to the predominantly amorphous silk fibers to induce β-sheet formation and orientation. The resultant silk fibers showed a 2.5-fold higher extensibility, resulting in 1.5-fold tougher silk fibers compared with native Bombyx mori silk fiber. The amorphous silk fiber spinning process developed here will pave the way to the production of silk fibers with desired mechanical properties.

Obesity is a costly, global epidemic that is perpetuated by an unhealthy diet. A significant factor in the initial consumption and maintenance of an unhealthy diet is the abundance of highly palatable, calorically dense foods. The aim of the present study is to better understand the effects of high fat diet (HFD) consumption on food valuation and preference, and to elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms mediating these effects. By using a novel food preference assay, we found that prolonged consumption of a HFD diminishes preference for and consumption of the more calorically dense food choice when two lab diets are presented. Additionally, we demonstrated that prolonged HFD consumption dampens ventral tegmental c-fos induction during hedonic feeding, implicating the mesolimbic dopamine signaling pathway as a target of HFD. Notably, both the changes in food preference and this reduced c-fos induction were reversed during withdrawal from HFD. Further, HFD-induced alterations in food preference were attenuated by exercise. Our findings suggest that prolonged HFD consumption leads to anhedonia and altered feeding choices, and this is associated with changes in mesolimbic dopamine signaling.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are known to regulate energy metabolism, and TRPM8 has become an interesting player in this context. Here we demonstrate the role of the cold sensor TRPM8 in the regulation of clock gene and clock controlled genes in brown adipose tissue (BAT). We investigated TrpM8 temporal profile in the eyes, suprachiasmatic nucleus and BAT; only BAT showed temporal variation of TrpM8 transcripts. Eyes from mice lacking TRPM8 lost the temporal profile of Per1 in LD cycle. This alteration in the ocular circadian physiology may explain the delay in the onset of locomotor activity in response to light pulse, as compared to wild type animals (WT). Brown adipocytes from TrpM8 KO mice exhibited a larger multilocularity in comparison to WT or TrpV1 KO mice. In addition, Ucp1 and UCP1 expression was significantly reduced in TrpM8 KO mice in comparison to WT mice. Regarding circadian components, the expression of Per1, Per2, Bmal1, Pparα, and Pparβ oscillated in WT mice kept in LD, whereas in the absence of TRPM8 the expression of clock genes was reduced in amplitude and lack temporal oscillation. Thus, our results reveal new roles for TRPM8 channel: it participates in the regulation of clock and clock-controlled genes in the eyes and BAT, and in BAT thermogenesis. Since disruption of the clock machinery has been associated with many metabolic disorders, the pharmacological modulation of TRPM8 channel may become a promising therapeutic target to counterbalance weight gain, through increased thermogenesis, energy expenditure, and clock gene activation.

Introduction Reliable nuclear immunohistochemical stains for sebaceous neoplasms have not been readily available. Positive nuclear staining has been reported by GATA3 and factor XIIIa (AC-1A1). We sought to determine the diagnostic utility of these nuclear stains by comparing their staining pattern to adipophilin, a consistently positive cytoplasmic stain. Methods Cases with the diagnosis of sebaceous hyperplasia, sebaceous adenoma, sebaceous epithelioma/sebaceoma, and sebaceous carcinoma, nonsebaceous neoplasms (basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) were examined. Intensity and extent of staining of the basal cells and mature sebocytes were evaluated for each stain. Results Factor XIIIa (AC-1A1) was 87.3% sensitive for all sebaceous neoplasms and 95.1% specific and demonstrated high inter-observer reliability. Adipophilin was 83.2% sensitive and 87.8% specific. GATA3 was the least sensitive (80.9%) and specific (75.6%) marker. When factor XIIIa was compared against composite staining of all three markers its staining was still uniquely significant (p = 0.0210). Conclusion Factor XIIIa (AC-1A1) is a sensitive and specific nuclear marker for sebaceous differentiation. Its diagnostic utility exceeds that of adipophilin. Factor XIIIa should be included in the expanding group of immunohistochemical and special stains which can be utilized to aid in the diagnosis of sebaceous neoplasms.

Networks of neurons control feeding and activity patterns by integrating internal metabolic signals of energy balance with external environmental cues such as time-of-day. Proper circadian alignment of feeding behavior is necessary to prevent metabolic disease, and thus it is imperative that molecular players that maintain neuronal coordination of energy homeostasis are identified. Here, we demonstrate that mice lacking the p75 neurotrophin receptor, p75NTR, decrease their feeding and food anticipatory behavior (FAA) in response to daytime, but not nighttime, restricted feeding. These effects lead to increased weight loss, but do not require p75NTR during development. Instead, p75NTR is required for fasting-induced activation of neurons within the arcuate hypothalamus. Indeed, p75NTR specifically in AgRP neurons is required for FAA in response to daytime restricted feeding. These findings establish p75NTR as a novel regulator gating behavioral response to food scarcity and time-of-day dependence of circadian food anticipation., eLife digest In many animals, specific types of neurons, such as the hypothalamic hunger neurons, are tasked with regulating food consumption, integrating internal signals of hunger. In general, individuals eat if food becomes available when they are hungry; if food is absent, they will start moving to find new resources. Finally, if food always comes at the same time, animals will increase their activity just before it is delivered. Neurotrophins are a family of proteins that have many essential roles in the brain. In recent years, they have been shown to interact with the circadian clock, the built-in mechanism that helps animals stay synchronized with the cycle of day and night. A protein known as p75NTR is present in nerve cells, including hypothalamic hunger neurons: there, it helps to relay messages from a neurotrophin which, amongst other roles, controls food intake. However, it was unclear whether p75NTR played a role in regulating feeding behaviors, especially in a circadian manner. To investigate this question, Podyma et al. genetically engineered a group of mice lacking p75NTR, and a group missing the protein only in their hypothalamic hunger neurons. Both types of mutants had abnormal control of their feeding behavior: compared to normal mice, they fed less (and lost more weight) after they had been deprived of food overnight, or when they faced food shortage over multiple days. In addition, the mutants failed to move more before being fed. However, these feeding patterns were only affected during daytime, while they were preserved at night. These results reveal a new role for p75NTR in hypothalamic hunger neurons. Dissecting the biological processes that control food intake is key since obesity levels are increasing around the world. In particular, the relationship between food intake and the circadian clock is an important avenue of research as time-restricted diets (where food intake is only allowed during specific periods of the day) are growing in popularity.

Summary The widespread availability of energy-dense, rewarding foods is correlated with the increased incidence of obesity across the globe. Overeating during mealtimes and unscheduled snacking disrupts timed metabolic processes, which further contribute to weight gain. The neuronal mechanism by which the consumption of energy-dense food restructures the timing of feeding is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that dopaminergic signaling within the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the central circadian pacemaker, disrupts the timing of feeding, resulting in overconsumption of food. D1 dopamine receptor (Drd1)-null mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity, metabolic disease, and circadian disruption associated with energy-dense diets. Conversely, genetic rescue of Drd1 expression within the SCN restores diet-induced overconsumption, weight gain, and obesogenic symptoms. Access to rewarding food increases SCN dopamine turnover, and elevated Drd1-signaling decreases SCN neuronal activity, which we posit disinhibits downstream orexigenic responses. These findings define a connection between the reward and circadian pathways in the regulation of pathological calorie consumption.

How do energy-dense diets influence appetite and food preference? We sought to determine the impact of diet energy density on food intake and selection. We found that mice raised on standard diet, when provided with an alternative feed, consumed approximately the same amount of food across a spectrum of energy densities. However, mice raised on energy-dense diet were hypophagic for foods with inferior energy density as compared to their maintenance diet. Furthermore, while mice fed standard diet preferred energy-superior foods, mice fed energy-dense diet failed to discriminate on the basis of energy content. Dietary intervention (transition to standard diet) recouped both appetite and food preference in mice fed energy-dense diet. Interestingly, exercise failed to reverse hypophagia but succeeded in restoring preference. Our results suggest that food choice is normally informed by food energy content and energy-dense diets result in a devaluation of foods of lesser energy density.

Objectives To compare biofilm-forming ability; hydrolytic enzymes and ethanol-derived acetaldehyde production of oral Candida isolated from the oral cancer and matched non-oral cancer patients. Material and Methods Fungal biofilms were grown in RPMI-1640 medium and biofilm- mass and -activity were assessed using crystal-violet staining and XTT-salt reduction assays, respectively. Phospholipase, proteinase and esterase production was measured using agar plate method, while fungal acetaldehyde production was assessed via gas-chromatography. Results Candida isolated from oral cancer patients demonstrated significantly higher biofilm mass (p=0.031), biofilm metabolic activity (p

Intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) are directly activated by bright light and indirectly by light relayed from rods and cones. This relay depends on RDGB2, and circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light response are reduced in RdgB2−/− animals under low light. RDGB2 is required to transduce light input from rods to ipRGCs., A subset of retinal ganglion cells is intrinsically photosensitive (ipRGCs) and contributes directly to the pupillary light reflex and circadian photoentrainment under bright-light conditions. ipRGCs are also indirectly activated by light through cellular circuits initiated in rods and cones. A mammalian homologue (RdgB2) of a phosphoinositide transfer/exchange protein that functions in Drosophila phototransduction is expressed in the retinal ganglion cell layer. This raised the possibility that RdgB2 might function in the intrinsic light response in ipRGCs, which depends on a cascade reminiscent of Drosophila phototransduction. Here we found that under high light intensities, RdgB2−/− mutant mice showed normal pupillary light responses and circadian photoentrainment. Consistent with this behavioral phenotype, the intrinsic light responses of ipRGCs in RdgB2−/− were indistinguishable from wild-type. In contrast, under low-light conditions, RdgB2−/− mutants displayed defects in both circadian photoentrainment and the pupillary light response. The RdgB2 protein was not expressed in ipRGCs but was in GABAergic amacrine cells, which provided inhibitory feedback onto bipolar cells. We propose that RdgB2 is required in a cellular circuit that transduces light input from rods to bipolar cells that are coupled to GABAergic amacrine cells and ultimately to ipRGCs, thereby enabling ipRGCs to respond to dim light.

Summary Objectives Candida, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, has been implicated in oral and oesophageal cancers. This study aimed to examine oral Candida carriage in 52 oral cancer patients and 104 age-, gender- and denture status-matched oral cancer-free subjects. Material and methods We assessed general health, smoking and alcohol drinking habits, use of alcohol-containing mouthwash and periodontal status (community periodontal index of treatment needs). Yeasts were isolated using oral rinse technique and genetically identified via Real-Time PCR-High resolution melting curve analysis of conserved ribosomal DNA. Conditional and binary logistic regressions were used to identify explanatory variables that are risk factors for oral cancer. Results and conclusion The frequencies of oral yeasts’ presence and high oral colonization were significantly higher in oral cancer than non-oral cancer patients (p = 001; p = 0.033, respectively). No significant difference in the isolation profile of Candida species was found between the two groups, except C. parapsilosis was more frequent in non-oral cancer group. Differences were noticed in the incidence of C. albicans strains where significantly more C. albicans genotype-A was isolated from cancer patients and significantly more C. albicans genotype-B isolated from non-cancer patients. Multiple regression analyses showed significant association with cancer observed for alcohol drinking (OR = 4.253; 95% CI = 1.351, 13.386), Candida presence (OR = 3.242; 95% CI = 1.505, 6.984) and high oral colonization (OR = 3.587; 95% CI = 1.153, 11.162). These results indicate that there is a significant association between oral cancer occurrence and Candida oral colonization and that the observed genotypic diversity of C. albicans strains may play a role in oral carcinogenesis.

The extraordinary mechanical properties of spider dragline silk are dependent on the highly repetitive sequences of the component proteins, major ampullate spidroin 1 and 2 (MaSp2 and MaSp2). MaSp sequences are dominated by repetitive modules composed of short amino acid motifs; however, the patterns of motif conservation through evolution and their relevance to silk characteristics are not well understood. We performed a systematic analysis of MaSp sequences encompassing infraorder Araneomorphae based on the conservation of explicitly defined motifs, with the aim of elucidating the essential elements of MaSp1 and MaSp2. The results show that the GGY motif is nearly ubiquitous in the two types of MaSp, while MaSp2 is invariably associated with GP and di-glutamine (QQ) motifs. Further analysis revealed an extended MaSp2 consensus sequence in family Araneidae, with implications for the classification of the archetypal spidroins ADF3 and ADF4. Additionally, the analysis of RNA-seq data showed the expression of a set of distinct MaSp-like variants in genus Tetragnatha. Finally, an apparent association was uncovered between web architecture and the abundance of GP, QQ, and GGY motifs in MaSp2, which suggests a co-expansion of these motifs in response to the evolution of spiders' prey capture strategy.

Accurate, rapid and economical fungal species identification has been a major aim in mycology. In this study, our goal was to examine the feasibility of a high-resolution melting curve analysis (HRMA) of internal transcribed regions ITS1 and ITS2 in ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for a rapid, simple and inexpensive differentiation of eight clinically relevant Candida species (Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida krusei, Candida tropicalis, Candida guilliermondii, Candida dubliniensis and Candida lusitaniae). In addition, for the first time, we tested the applicability of HRMA to classify C. albicans strains into four previously described genotypes (A, B, C and D) using a primer set that spans the transposable intron region of 25S of rDNA. Type and unknown clinical oral isolates were used in this study and the melting curve analysis was compared with both amplicons' sequencing and agarose gel electrophoresis analysis. Real-time PCR and subsequent HRMA of the two described rDNA regions generated distinct melting curve profiles that were in accord with sequencing and gel electrophoresis analysis, highly reproducible, and characteristic of each of the eight Candida species and C. albicans genotypes. Moreover, results were obtained in 4 h and without the need for any post-amplification handling, so reducing time and cost. Owing to its simplicity and speed, this technique is a good fit for genotypic analysis of hundreds of clinical strains in large epidemiological settings.

SummaryThe calcium-activated small conductance potassium channel SK3 plays an essential role in the regulation of dopamine neuron activity patterns. Here we demonstrate that expression of a human disease-related SK3 mutation (hSK3Δ) in dopamine neurons of mice disrupts the balance between tonic and phasic dopamine neuron activity. Expression of hSK3Δ suppressed endogenous SK currents, reducing coupling between SK channels and NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and increasing permissiveness for burst firing. Consistent with enhanced excitability of dopamine neurons, hSK3Δ increased evoked calcium signals in dopamine neurons in vivo and potentiated evoked dopamine release. Specific expression of hSK3Δ led to deficits in attention and sensory gating and heightened sensitivity to a psychomimetic drug. Sensory-motor alterations and psychomimetic sensitivity were recapitulated in a mouse model of transient, reversible dopamine neuron activation. These results demonstrate the cell-autonomous effects of a human ion channel mutation on dopamine neuron physiology and the impact of activity pattern disruption on behavior.

Candida biofilms are a major virulence trait for this yeast. In this study, the biofilm-forming ability of the major medically important clinical and laboratory reference strains was compared. Biofilms were quantified using traditional methods, that is, crystal violet (CV), tetrazolium (XTT) reduction and colony-forming unit assays (CFU), and two new methods: an automated cell counter (ACC) and biofilm suspension turbidity (BST) method. Biofilms could be categorized based on biofilm biomass (high, medium and low) and growth state (high and low). Candida albicans genotypes, A, B and C, showed medium biofilm mass and low growth rate, and only one C. albicans laboratory strain, ATCC MYA-2719, matched this biofilm category. Of all non-albicans Candida species tested, only Candida dubliniensis and Candida glabrata laboratory and clinical isolates had similar biofilm development. The ACC and BST methods for measuring biofilm significantly correlated with CV and CFU biofilm mass measurements. Thus, biofilm mass can be rapidly assessed using biofilm disruptive/cellular nondestructive methods allowing yeast biofilm cells to be used for further analysis. In conclusion, Candida laboratory reference strains and clinical isolates have been shown to form biofilms at different rates; hence for validity, the selection of laboratory reference strains in biofilm studies may be critical for virulence assessment.

Dopamine (DA) neurotransmission controls behaviors important for survival, including voluntary movement, reward processing, and detection of salient events, such as food or mate availability. Dopaminergic tone also influences circadian physiology and behavior. Although the evolutionary significance of this input is appreciated, its precise neurophysiological architecture remains unknown. Here, we identify a novel, direct connection between the DA neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). We demonstrate that D1 dopamine receptor (Drd1) signaling within the SCN is necessary for properly timed resynchronization of activity rhythms to phase-shifted light:dark cycles and that elevation of DA tone through selective activation of VTA DA neurons accelerates photoentrainment. Our findings demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for direct DA input to the master circadian clock and highlight the importance of an evolutionarily significant relationship between the circadian system and the neuromodulatory circuits that govern motivational behaviors.

Summary Photoreceptive, melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells (mRGCs) encode ambient light (irradiance) for the circadian clock, the pupillomotor system, and other influential behavioral/physiological responses. mRGCs are activated both by their intrinsic phototransduction cascade and by the rods and cones. However, the individual contribution of each photoreceptor class to irradiance responses remains unclear. We address this deficit using mice expressing human red cone opsin, in which rod-, cone-, and melanopsin-dependent responses can be identified by their distinct spectral sensitivity. Our data reveal an unexpectedly important role for rods. These photoreceptors define circadian responses at very dim “scotopic” light levels but also at irradiances at which pattern vision relies heavily on cones. By contrast, cone input to irradiance responses dissipates following light adaptation to the extent that these receptors make a very limited contribution to circadian and pupillary light responses under these conditions. Our data provide new insight into retinal circuitry upstream of mRGCs and optimal stimuli for eliciting irradiance responses., Highlights ► Red cone knockin (Opn1mwR) mice reveal rod, cone, and melanopsin phases to NIF vision ► Rods drive circadian responses to very low irradiances (scotopic threshold) ► Circadian responses to light in the photopic range can be rod driven ► Light adaptation limits the influence of cones on NIF vision

Transient receptor potential (TRPs) channels are involved in thermogenesis, and temperature and energy balance control. Mice lacking TrpV1 become more obese and develop insulin resistance when fed with high fat diet; however, a relationship between metabolic disorders, TRP channels, and clock genes is still unknown. Based on this, we hypothesized that TRPV1 channels would be involved in the synchronization of clock genes in the peripheral tissues. To address this question, we used wild type (WT) and TrpV1 knockout (KO) mice kept in constant darkness (DD) or in light-dark cycle (LD). In WT mouse brown adipose tissue (BAT), TrpV1 oscillated with higher expression at scotophase, Per1 and Per2 showed the same profile, and Bmal1 transcript only oscillated in DD. Interestingly, the oscillatory profile of these clock genes was abolished in TrpV1 KO mice. WT mouse Ucp1 was upregulated in LD as compared to DD, showing no temporal variation; mice lacking TrpV1 showed Ucp1 oscillation with a peak at the photophase. Remarkably, TrpV1 KO mice displayed less total activity than WT only when submitted to LD. We provide evidence that TRPV1 is an important modulator of BAT clock gene oscillations. Therefore, temperature and/or light-dependent regulation of TRPV1 activity might provide novel pharmacological approaches to treat metabolic disorders.

The nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat/pyrin domain-containing-3 (NALP3) inflammasome, which is required for synthesis of interleukin-1β, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoinflammatory syndromes. This review of the literature summarizes the interconnectedness of NALP3 inflammasome with some of these disorders. Familial Mediterranean fever results from a mutation in the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene, which encodes the pyrin protein. Previous study results suggest that pyrin suppresses caspase-1 activation, perhaps by competing for the adaptor protein, termed, pyrin domain of apoptosis/speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ACS) which therefore interferes with NALP3 inflammasome activation. The nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat/pyrin domain-containing-3 (NALP3) inflammasome is constitutively activated in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes due to gain-of-function mutations resulting from point mutations within the neuronal apoptosis inhibitor protein/class 2 transcription factor/heterokaryon incompatibility/telomerase-associated protein-1 (NACHT) domain of the NALP3 protein. Pyogenic arthritis, pyoderma gangrenosum and acne (PAPA) syndrome is caused by mutations in the genes encoding proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1). These PSTPIP1 mutants are thought to bind to pyrin causing an increase in the pyrin domain of apoptosis/speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) pyroptosome assembly leading to procaspase-1 recruitment and therefore its activation. Hyperimmunoglublinemia D syndrome is caused by mevalonate kinase (MVK) deficiency, which may be affected by protein accumulation that leads to NALP3 inflammasome activation. Tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated periodic syndrome is associated with mutations in the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 1A (TNFRSF1A) gene which decreases the level of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNFR1) leading to neutralization of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. In general, these autoinflammatory disorders have shown a clinical response to interleukin-1 (IL-1) antagonists, suggesting that the NALP3 inflammasome serves a critical role in their pathogenesis.

Oral biofilms comprise of extracellular polysaccharides and polymicrobial microorganisms. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of polymicrobial interactions of Candida albicans, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Streptococcus mutans on biofilm formation with the hypotheses that biofilm biomass and metabolic activity are both C. albicans strain and growth medium dependent. To study monospecific biofilms, C. albicans, A. naeslundii, and S. mutans were inoculated into artificial saliva medium (ASM) and RPMI-1640 in separate vials, whereas to study polymicrobial biofilm formation, the inoculum containing microorganisms was prepared in the same vial prior inoculation into a 96-well plate followed by 72 hours incubation. Finally, biofilm biomass and metabolic activity were measured using crystal violet and XTT assays, respectively. Our results showed variability of monospecies and polymicrobial biofilm biomass between C. albicans strains and growth medium. Based on cut-offs, out of 32, seven RPMI-grown biofilms had high biofilm biomass (HBB), whereas, in ASM-grown biofilms, 14 out of 32 were HBB. Of the 32 biofilms grown in RPMI-1640, 21 were high metabolic activity (HMA), whereas in ASM, there was no biofilm had HMA. Significant differences were observed between ASM and RPMI-grown biofilms with respect to metabolic activity (P

Allostery is vital to the function of many proteins. In some cases, rather than a direct steric effect, mutual modulation of ligand binding at spatially separated sites may be achieved through a change in protein dynamics. Thus changes in vibrational modes of the protein, rather than conformational changes, allow different ligand sites to communicate. Evidence for such an effect has been found in TRAP (trp RNA-binding attenuation protein), a regulatory protein found in species of Bacillus. TRAP is part of a feedback system to modulate expression of the trp operon, which carries genes involved in tryptophan synthesis. Negative feedback is thought to depend on binding of tryptophan-bound, but not unbound, TRAP to a specific mRNA leader sequence. We find that, contrary to expectations, at low temperatures TRAP is able to bind RNA in the absence of tryptophan, and that this effect is particularly strong in the case of Bacillus stearothermophilus TRAP. We have solved the crystal structure of this protein with no tryptophan bound, and find that much of the structure shows little deviation from the tryptophan-bound form. These data support the idea that tryptophan may exert its effect on RNA binding by TRAP through dynamic and not structural changes, and that tryptophan binding may be mimicked by low temperature.

Macrofungi are extensive in diversity and play an essential role in sustaining ecosystems. However, the size and quality of their habitat is decreasing and extinction threatens the remaining 95 % of the world’s undiscovered fungal species. This study was carried out to document the diversity and composition of macrofungi in Ngel Nyaki Montane Forest Reserve. A total of seventy-two (72) wood decomposing fungi were identified belonging to 8 classes, 12 Orders and 27 Families. The most abundant species was Trichoglossum hirsutum (Pers). Boud with 23.49% relative frequency of occurrence followed by Russulax erampelina (7.23%), Hemimycena candida (Bres) Singer (5.42%), Termitomyces eurhizus (Berk.) Heim (4.82%), Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quel (4.22%) and Ganoderma sp 1 (3.61%). Thirty-eight (52.77%) of the 72 species were rare, as they were seen and collected once during the survey. Eight (8) different fruiting body forms were encountered. Most of the macrofungi were the gilled fungi (Agarics) with 39 species, followed by the Polypores with 21 species, while cup fungi, slime mould and coral fungi were represented in the whole collection by a single species each. Macrofungi diversity varied significantly across pieces of deadwood with wood in later stages of decay having the highest macrofungi diversity. The study documents the first checklist of macrofungi in Nigeria’s rarest forest landscape. Keywords: Macrofungi, Composition, Diversity, Ngel Nyaki, Mambilla Plateau

Thirty streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic of Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups. The rat groups received different food (natural diet or high fat content diet) supplemented with 10% or 15% of samh seeds for 6weeks. At the end of the study, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phophatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes have been measured in diabetic rats liver. In addition, liver lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TAG), lipid peroxide production malondialdehyde (MDA)) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in have been measured in diabetic rats liver, and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were also determined. The samh seeds diet supplemented with cholesterol significantly increase (P

The X-ray crystal structure of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Methanocaldococcus jannaschii (Mj-GAPDH) was determined to 1.81 A resolution. The crystal belonged to space group C222(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 83.4, b = 152.0, c = 118.6 A. The structure was solved by molecular replacement and was refined to a final R factor of 17.1% (R(free) = 19.8%). The final structure included the cofactor NADP(+) at the nucleotide-binding site and featured unoccupied inorganic and substrate phosphate-binding sites. A comparison with GAPDH structures from mesophilic sources suggested that Mj-GAPDH is stabilized by extensive electrostatic interactions between the C-terminal alpha-helices and various distal loop regions, which are likely to contribute to thermal stability. The key phosphate-binding residues in the active site of Mj-GAPDH are conserved in other archaeal GAPDH proteins. These residues undergo a conformational shift in response to occupancy of the inorganic phosphate site.

The assembly of core histones onto eukaryotic DNA is modulated by several histone chaperone complexes, including Asf1, CAF-1, and HIRA. Asf1 is a unique histone chaperone that participates in both the replication-dependent and replication-independent pathways. Here we report the crystal structures of the apo-form of fission yeast Asf1/Cia1 (SpAsf1N; residues 1-161) as well as its complexes with the B-domain of the fission yeast HIRA orthologue Hip1 (Hip1B) and the C-terminal region of the Cac2 subunit of CAF-1 (Cac2C). The mode of the fission yeast Asf1N-Hip1B recognition is similar to that of the human Asf1-HIRA recognition, suggesting that Asf1N recognition of Hip1B/HIRA is conserved from yeast to mammals. Interestingly, Hip1B and Cac2C show remarkably similar interaction modes with Asf1. The binding between Asf1N and Hip1B was almost completely abolished by the D37A and L60A/V62A mutations in Asf1N, indicating the critical role of salt bridge and van der Waals contacts in the complex formation. Consistently, both of the aforementioned Asf1 mutations also drastically reduced the binding to Cac2C. These results provide a structural basis for a mutually exclusive Asf1-binding model of CAF-1 and HIRA/Hip1, in which Asf1 and CAF-1 assemble histones H3/H4 (H3.1/H4 in vertebrates) in a replication-dependent pathway, whereas Asf1 and HIRA/Hip1 assemble histones H3/H4 (H3.3/H4 in vertebrates) in a replication-independent pathway.

Silk has attracted widespread attention due to its superlative material properties and promising applications. However, the determinants behind the variations in material properties among different types of silk are not well understood. We analysed the physical properties of silk samples from a variety of silkmoth cocoons, including domesticated Bombyx mori varieties and several species from Saturniidae. Tensile deformation tests, thermal analyses and investigations on crystalline structure and orientation of the fibres were performed. The results showed that saturniid silks produce more highly-defined structural transitions compared to B. mori, as seen in the yielding and strain hardening events during tensile deformation and in the changes observed during thermal analyses. These observations were analysed in terms of the constituent fibroin sequences, which in B. mori are predicted to produce heterogeneous structures, whereas the strictly modular repeats of the saturniid sequences are hypothesized to produce structures that respond in a concerted manner. Within saturniid fibroins, thermal stability was found to correlate with the abundance of poly-alanine residues, whereas differences in fibre extensibility can be related to varying ratios of GGX motifs versus bulky hydrophobic residues in the amorphous phase.

International audience; Feeding behavior is exquisitely regulated by homeostatic and hedonic neural substrates that integrate energy demand as well as the reinforcing and rewarding aspects of food. Understanding the net contribution of homeostatic and reward-driven feeding has become critical because of the ubiquitous source of energy-dense foods and the consequent obesity epidemic. Hypothalamic agouti-related peptide-secreting neurons (AgRP neurons) provide the primary orexigenic drive of homeostatic feeding. Using models of neuronal inhibition or ablation, we demonstrate that the feeding response to a fast ghrelin or serotonin receptor agonist relies on AgRP neurons. However, when palatable food is provided, AgRP neurons are dispensable for an appropriate feeding response. In addition, AgRP-ablated mice present exacerbated stress-induced anorexia and palatable food intake--a hallmark of comfort feeding. These results suggest that, when AgRP neuron activity is impaired, neural circuits sensitive to emotion and stress are engaged and modulated by food palatability and dopamine signaling.

Background Interest in the association between oral cancer risk and Candida-associated promotion of mucosal dysplasia continues. However, little is known of the presence and amount of oral yeast in the mouths of healthy patients without mucosal lesions. The purpose of this prospective cross-sectional clinical study was to ascertain the prevalence and degree of carriage of Candida in the oral cavities of a non-cancer population, with reference to a range of parameters affecting the oral environment. Methods Oral rinse samples were collected from a sample of 203 patients attending the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne and analysed for the presence and degree of colonization of yeast species that were phenotypically identified as albicans and non-albicans species. Results Oral yeast carriage was found in 98/203 patients (48.3%), and of these, 83 (84.7%) patients carried C. albicans. There was no statistical difference in carriage when comparing gender, age, or presence of a removable prosthesis. Conclusions Both smoking and the presence of active carious lesions were found to be positively correlated with the carriage of oral Candida. Individuals who are current smokers are nearly seven times more likely to have oral Candida, and participants with high candidal colonization are more likely to be current smokers. Participants with active carious lesions were also more likely to carry oral Candida.

T cell dysfunction has been described in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the specific phenotype and function of antigen-specific CD8 cells is less clear. Here we determined phenotype and function of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific CD8 cells at the single-cell level in SLE. HLA-A2-restricted EBV-BMLF-1-specific CD8 cells were enumerated by flow cytometry using tetramers in SLE and healthy control subjects. Antigen-specific CD8 cells were analyzed for expression of differentiation, activation, proliferation, and anti-apoptotic markers. EBV-specific, other virus-specific (specific against a viral peptide pool consisting of cytomegalovirus, EBV and influenza virus peptides), and mitogen-induced CD8 cell function was assessed by INF-gamma ELISPOT assay. Frequencies of EBV-specific CD8 cells tended to be greater in SLE subjects than in healthy control subjects (p=0.07). While over 10% of EBV-specific CD8 cells were capable of producing IFN-gamma in four out of five healthy control subjects, such proportions of EBV-specific CD8 cells capable of IFN-gamma production were observed in only one out of six SLE subjects (p=0.04). In contrast, viral peptide pool-specific and mitogen-induced IFN-gamma-producing T cell function was intact in SLE subjects. Phenotypic analysis revealed EBV-specific CD8 cells to be in an early to intermediate differentiation and resting memory state in both groups. While EBV-specific CD8 cells are similar in phenotype, their frequency tends to be increased, and function appears to be decreased in SLE. Therefore, an impaired EBV-specific CD8 immune response may exist in SLE, potentially contributing to disease pathogenesis.

Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is a potentially lethal inborn error in metabolism caused by mutations in the aldolase B gene, which is critical for gluconeogenesis and fructose metabolism. The most common mutation, which accounts for 53% of HFI alleles identified worldwide, results in substitution of Pro for Ala at position 149. Structural and functional investigations of human aldolase B with the A149P substitution (AP-aldolase) have shown that the mutation leads to losses in thermal stability, quaternary structure, and activity. X-ray crystallography is used to reveal the structural basis of these perturbations. Crystals of AP-aldolase are grown at two temperatures (4 degrees C and 18 degrees C), and the structure solved to 3.0 angstroms resolution, using the wild-type structure as the phasing model. The structures reveal that the single residue substitution, A149P, causes molecular disorder around the site of mutation (residues 148-159), which is propagated to three adjacent beta-strand and loop regions (residues 110-129, 189-199, 235-242). Disorder in the 110-129-loop region, which comprises one subunit-subunit interface, provides an explanation for the disrupted quaternary structure and thermal instability. Greater structural perturbation, particularly at a Glu189-Arg148 salt bridge in the active-site architecture, is observed in the structure determined at 18 degrees C, which could explain the temperature-dependent loss in activity. The disorder revealed in these structures is far greater than that predicted by homology modeling and underscores the difficulties in predicting perturbations of protein structure and function by homology modeling alone. The AP-aldolase structure reveals the molecular basis of a hereditary disease and represents one of only a few structures known for mutant proteins at the root of the thousands of other inherited disorders.

Hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) is an autosomal recessive disorder in humans which is caused by mutations in the aldolase B gene. The most common HFI allele encodes an enzyme with an A149P substitution (AP-aldolase). A lysis method suitable for aggregation-prone proteins overexpressed in bacteria was developed. The enzyme’s structure and function is investigated as a function of temperature. Near-UV CD shows a qualitative difference in tertiary structure, whereas far-UV CD shows no difference in overall secondary structure, although both show increased temperature sensitivity for AP-aldolase compared to that seen with wild-type aldolase B. AP-aldolase exists as a dimer at all temperatures tested, unlike the tetrameric wild-type enzyme, thus providing a possible explanation for the loss in thermostability. AP-aldolase has sixfold lower activity than wild type at 10 °C, which decreases substantially at higher temperature. In addition to disruptions at the catalytic center, the kinetic constants toward different substrates suggest that there is a disruption at the C1-phosphate-binding site, which is not sensitive to temperature. The implications of these structural alterations are discussed with regard to the HFI disease.

The ability to visualize and manipulate cell fate and gene expression in specific cell populations has made gene expression systems valuable tools in developmental biology studies. Here, we describe a new system that uses the E. coli tryptophan repressor and its upstream activation sequence (TrpR/tUAS) to drive gene expression in stable zebrafish transgenic lines and in mammalian cells. We show that TrpR/tUAS transgenes are not silenced in subsequent generations of zebrafish, which is a major improvement over some of the existing systems, such as Gal4/gUAS and the Q-system. TrpR transcriptional activity can be tuned by mutations in its DNA-binding domain, or silenced by Gal80 when fused to the Gal4 activation domain. In cases in which more than one cell population needs to be manipulated, TrpR/tUAS can be used in combination with other, existing systems.

The Red system of bacteriophage λ is responsible for the genetic rearrangements that contribute to its rapid evolution and has been successfully harnessed as a research tool for genome manipulation. The key recombination component is Redβ, a ring-shaped protein that facilitates annealing of complementary DNA strands. Redβ shares functional similarities with the human Rad52 single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) annealing protein although their evolutionary relatedness is not well established. Alignment of Rad52 and Redβ sequences shows an overall low level of homology, with 15% identity in the N-terminal core domains as well as important similarities with the Rad52 homolog Sak from phage ul36. Key conserved residues were chosen for mutagenesis and their impact on oligomer formation, ssDNA binding and annealing was probed. Two conserved regions were identified as sites important for binding ssDNA; a surface basic cluster and an intersubunit hydrophobic patch, consistent with findings for Rad52. Surprisingly, mutation of Redβ residues in the basic cluster that in Rad52 are involved in ssDNA binding disrupted both oligomer formation and ssDNA binding. Mutations in the equivalent of the intersubunit hydrophobic patch in Rad52 did not affect Redβ oligomerization but did impair DNA binding and annealing. We also identified a single amino acid substitution which had little effect on oligomerization and DNA binding but which inhibited DNA annealing, indicating that these two functions of Redβ can be separated. Taken together, the results provide fresh insights into the structural basis for Redβ function and the important role of quaternary structure.

The actin and collagen contents of adult bovine and porcine cardiac muscle tissues have been determined from the amounts of Nτ-methylhistidine and 5-hydroxylysine found in their acid hydrolysates. Bovine and porcine cardiac αc-actins from hearts of adult cows and sows contained 375 and 376 amino acids, respectively, and 1 mol of Nτ-methylhistidine/mol of protein, 42 000 Da, consistent with the values for all eukaryotic actins. Since the molar ratio of myosin to actin in cardiac muscles is known to be 1:4, the myosin content can be estimated from the amounts of αc-actin present. αc-Actin accounts for an estimated 9.7% of total cardiac muscle mass and myosin for about 27.6−28.0% of total protein, corresponding to 16.3 and 48.6% of the total myofibrillar proteins (57.6%). Total cardiac collagen ranged from 3.9% in porcine to 4.8% in bovine hearts. Cardiac muscles have a very good balance of EAA9 ranging from 49.8 to 50.3%, compared to the FAO/WHO reference essential amino acid (EAA9) pattern value of 33.9% f...

Twelve laboratories evaluated candidate material for an Aspergillus DNA calibrator. The DNA material was quantified using limiting-dilution analysis; the mean concentration was determined to be 1.73 × 10 10 units/ml. The calibrator can be used to standardize aspergillosis diagnostic assays which detect and/or quantify nucleic acid.